Chronicle News Service/Rex LarsenOwners of the B.O.B entertainment complex, center of photo, downtown on Monroe and Fulton, have announced plans to expand to a 20-story building wiht condos, hotel and concert venue.

Gilmore said today he wants to buy the city-owned parking lots next to his entertainment complex so he can build a "House of Blues-type" performance venue, a 200-room boutique hotel, 40 condominiums, a 250-space parking ramp and two ground-level "piazzas" that could include "everything from a piano bar to an art gallery."

The performance venue would be built below the piazzas while the parking garage, hotel and condominiums would be located in a 20-story tower, Gilmore said.

Expansion plans have been in discussion for three years, but the specifics outlined today are the most detailed yet.

To move the project forward, Gilmore, who also owns The Kirby House, 2 Washington, in Grand Haven, told city parking commissioners he needs an extension and expansion of a 3-year-old purchase option he has on the parking lots that flank the B.O.B.

hronicle News Service/Rex LarsenThe main entrance of the B.O.B., a popular complex of restaurants and entertainment venues in downtown Grand Rapids.

City parking commissioners gave their initial blessing to the extension this morning. City commissioners will take up the request when they meet next Tuesday.

So far, Gilmore said he has spent $200,000 on his plans. "I can't spend a penny more unless I can tie up this parcel," he said.

Gilmore said his expansion plans will create enough demand for the hotel and condominiums. "We anticipate we'll create a lot of traffic," he said.

Three years ago, the city sold Gilmore an option to buy one of the parking lots for $530,000. The option is scheduled to expire at the end of this month.

Gilmore's new option would pay the city $1.9 million for all the parking. He would be required to close on the purchase within a year and spend at least $5 million within three years.

City Parking Director Pam Ritsema said terms of the option have not changed except for the time line and the money involved.